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Elastic properties of composite materials

Article  in  Mathematical Models and Computer Simulations · February 2010

DOI: 10.1134/S2070048210010126

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ISSN 20700482, Mathematical Models and Computer Simulations, 2010, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 116–130. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2010.
Original Russian Text © Y.I. Dimitrienko, A.P. Sokolov, 2009, published in Matematicheskoe Modelirovanie, 2009, Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 96–110.

Elastic Properties of Composite Materials

Y. I. Dimitrienko, A. P. Sokolov
Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Department FN11, Moscow, Russia
Received October 16, 2007

Abstract—A developed system is presented for computeraided calculation of the effective elastic
properties of composite materials (CM) with various reinforcement structure (3Dreinforced, 4D
reinforced, textile reinforcement). The computation was based on the finiteelement method for the
solution of the socalled local problems Lpq arising on applying the asymptotic homogenization
method worked out by N.S. Bakhvalov and B.Ye. Pobedrya. The calculation results for effective elastic
properties of CM obtained by the developed software system are presented as well as some character
istics of the system application to the abovelisted types of reinforcement structures.
DOI: 10.1134/S2070048210010126

CM (composites), which have been intensively developed since the 1960s, are still one of the leading
classes of engineering materials due to their outstanding properties, i.e., low weight (even in comparison
with aluminum alloys), high stiffness and strength, as well as their high chemical resistance, machinability,
etc. The greatest disadvantage of these materials is their high price, which had earlier limited the scope of
its application in civil engineering, but it has largely been overcome, since the price of the end product
(e.g., aircraft or sea vessels) is now much less dependent on the prices of components and materials.
The fundamental mathematical models of composites developed as early as the 1970s [1–6], made it
possible to forecast their properties on the basis of the characteristics of their constituent materials (it is
one of the main objectives of the synthesis of new materials). These models were mostly based on the
approximate analysis of physical fields (fields of elastic stresses and deformations, and thermal and elec
tromagnetic fields) and yielded acceptable accuracy for “classical” composites such as layered materials,
and unidirectionally reinforced and layered fibrous composites. However, for an applicationimportant
class such as multidimensionally reinforced composites, with three or moredirectional reinforcement or
where it is entirely lacking (materials with dispersed reinforcement), such approximate methods lead to a
significant error and often appear unacceptable. In the 1980s, a new mathematical method was developed
by Bakhvalov and Pobedrya [7, 8], on the basis of the model of composites in the form of periodic struc
tures, which makes it possible to calculate the properties of composites with any predesigned accuracy (in
Europe, the model of periodic structures was practically simultaneously developed by A. Bensoussan,
J.L. Lions, and G. Papanicolaou [9–11]). This method, however, requires the solution of special bound
ary problems, the socalled “periodicity cell problems” (local problems), which, generally speaking, are
integrodifferential and have nonclassical periodicity conditions. The solution of these problems proved
difficult even for numerical methods; consequently, to date, only a few of them have been solved analyti
cally or numerically for comparatively simple types of composite structures: unidirectionally reinforced
[12], and orthogonally reinforced in 2 directions [8] and in 3 directions [13–16].
In this article, the result of the further development of Bakhvalov’s and Pobedrya’s method is pre
sented, based on reducing periodicity cell problems to the problems of the “classical” type, to which the
finiteelement method can be successfully applied and a software product is devised, making it possible to
calculate the elastic properties of composites with a practically arbitrary reinforcement structure.

1. PERIODICITY CELL PROBLEM

We consider a composite material, with a periodic structure (Fig. 1), the periodicity cell (PC) Vξ con
sists of N components Vξα, α = 1, …, N. In Fig. 1, examples are shown of the PC for composites with dif
ferent reinforcement structures: 3D orthogonal, and 4D and textile structure. We introduce a small
parameter κ = l/L Ⰶ 1 as the ratio between the characteristic size of the PC and the characteristic size of
the entire composite, as well as the global xk (k = 1, 2, 3) and local ξk coordinates. It will be assumed for
definiteness that one of the components with the number α = N is a connected domain and will be called
a matrix, and the rest of them are the filling agent (fibers). We consider for such a structure a linear elas

116
 ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS 117

(a) (b) (c)

Fig. 1. Various structures of the composite material: (a) 3D unidirectionally reinforced composite, (b) textile composite,
and (c) 4D reinforced composite.

ticity problem, assuming the conditions of the perfect contact on the surface of the interface Σξαβ between
the components.
According to the asymptotic homogenization method, the solution of such a problem with respect to
shear vector ui and stress tensor σij is sought in the form of asymptotic expansions [8]:
(0) (1) (0) (1)
ui = u i (xk) + κ u i (xk, ξl) + κ2 … and σij = σ ij (xk, ξl) + κ σ ij (xk, ξl) + κ2 … (l =1, 2, 3), and for the
(0)
specification of the functions u i we obtain an averaged elasticity problem with an effective tensor of elas
ticity moduli C ijkl , connecting the averaged stresses and strains:

〈 σ ij〉 = C ijkl 〈 ε kl〉 , (1)

∑ ∫
α α
where 〈 u i 〉 = N
u dV ξ
α = 1 V ξα i
designates averaging over Vξ. By employing the averaging technique sug
(1)
gested in [8], for the functions u i we have an elasticity problem on a “periodicity cell” (local problem):
α
⎧ σ ij/j = 0 in V ξα ,
⎪
⎪ ε α = ε + 1 ( u α + u α ),
⎪ ij ij
2
i/j j/i
⎪
⎪ σ αij = C αijkl ε αkl ,
⎨ (2)
⎪ α N
⎪ ui = ui ⎫
⎪ α ⎬ for Σ̃ ξαN ,
⎪ ( σ ij – σ ij )n j = 0 ⎭
N

⎪ α
⎩ 〈 u i 〉 = 0; 冀 u αi 冁 = 0, α = 1, …, N.
α (0) α (1)
The following designation is used here: σ ij = σ ij and u i = u i are the stresses and shears in the compo
nents Vξα and α = 1, …, N. Let us also denote ,l = ∂/∂xl and /l = ∂/∂ξl, which are the derivatives of two
α α
coordinate types, C ijkl are the tensors of elasticity moduli components, 冀 u i 冁 = 0 is the periodicity condi
α (0) (0)
tion of the functions at the boundary PC, and ε ij = 〈 ε ij 〉 = 1/2( u i, j + u j, i ) is the averaged strain, which
α
is treated as the “input data” of the local problem. The presence of the condition 〈 u i 〉 = 0 is due to the
requirement of the problem’s uniqueness of the cell problem [7] and renders problem (2) integrodiffer
ential.

2. CONVERSION OF A PERIODICITY CELL PROBLEM TO A PROBLEM

OF THE “CLASSICAL” TYPE
The direct solution of problem (2) is rather difficult even if sought numerically, due to the imposed
periodicity and integral conditions. Therefore, using the linearity of problem (2), its solution will be rep

MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND COMPUTER SIMULATIONS Vol. 2 No. 1 2010

118 DIMITRIENKO, SOKOLOV

resented in a slightly different form, i.e., as a set of 6 functions:

3

∑u
α α
ui = i ( pq ) , (3)
p, q = 1

∑
α α
σ ij = σ ij ( pq ) . (4)
p, q = 1

α
On substituting (3) and (4) in system (2) for the function u i ( pq ) at every fixed set of indexes (pq), we obtain
the following problem:

⎧ σα
⎪ ij ( pq )/j = 0,
⎪ α α α
⎪ σ ij ( pq ) = C ijkl ε kl ( pq ) , α = 1, …, N,
⎪ α α α
⎪ ε ij ( pq ) = 1/2ε pq ( δ ip δ jq + δ iq δ jp ) + 1/2 ( u i ( pq )/j + u j ( pq )/i ),
⎨ α (5)
⎪ u i ( pq ) = u Ni ( pq ) ⎫
⎪ ⎬ for Σ̃ ξαN ; α = 1, …, N – 1,
⎪ ( σ αij ( pq ) – σ Nij ( pq ) )n j = 0 ⎭
⎪
⎪ 〈 u α〉 = 0; 冀 u α 冁 = 0.
⎩ i i

In turn, the solution of problem (5) for each combination of the indexes (pq) will be sought in the fol
lowing form:

α α
u i ( pq ) = – ε pq ( δ ip ξ q + δ iq ξ p ) + U i ( pq ) ( ξ i ), (6)

α
where U i ( pq ) (ξi) are certain functions, called pseudo shears, which can be defined as follows. In the sub
domain V˜ ξ , representing 1/8 of the PC: V ˜ ξ = V ∩ (ξ ≥ 0), and the functions U α (ξ ) satisfy the follow
ξ i i ( pq ) i
ing system of equations:

⎧ σα ˜
⎪ ij ( pq )/j = 0 in V ξ ,
⎪ α α α ˜
⎪ σ ij ( pq ) = C ijkl ε kl ( pq ) in V ξ ∪ Σ s' ∪ Σ s ,
⎪ α α α ˜ ξ,
⎨ ε ij ( pq ) = 1/2 ( U i ( pq )/j + U j ( pq )/i ) in V (7)
⎪ α
⎪ U i ( pq ) = U Ni ( pq ) ⎫
⎪ ⎬ for Σ̃ ξαN ,
⎪(σ α
– σ
N
)n = 0 ⎭
⎩ ij ( pq ) ij ( pq ) j

where the contact surfaces of the components are designated within V ˜ ξ : Σ̃ ξαβ = Σ ∩ V , the coordinate
ξαβ ξ

planes: Σs = (ξs = 0), and the frontal surfaces Σ s = (ξs =1/2) and s = 1, 2, 3. In addition, let us impose on
'
α
the functions U i ( pq ) (ξi) the following boundary conditions with respect to Σ 's :
α α α
Under ( p = q ) U i ( pq ) = ( 1/2 )ε pq δ ip , U j ( pq )/i = 0, U k ( pq )/i = 0 for Σ 'i , i ≠ j ≠ k ≠ i. (8a)

α α α
U i ( pq ) = ( 1/4 )ε pq δ ip , U j ( pq )/j = 0, U k ( pq ) = 0 for Σ 'j , i, j = { p, q },
Under ( p ≠ q ) (8b)
α α α
U i ( pq )/k = 0, U j ( pq )/k = 0, U k ( pq ) = 0 for Σ 'k , i ≠ j ≠ k ≠ i.

MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND COMPUTER SIMULATIONS Vol. 2 No. 1 2010

 ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS 119

−
U3 = 1/2ε33
U1/3 = 0
U2/3 = 0
bc: 19(XY1) U2 = 0
ξ3 Z U1/2 = 0
U3/2 = 0
bc: 15(XZ1)

Y ξ2
bc: 18(YZ0)
U1 = 0 U1 = 0
U2/1 = 0 U2/1 = 0
U3/1 = 0 U3/1 = 0
bc: 22(YZ1)

bc: 14(XZ0)
U2 = 0
U1/2 = 0
U3/2 = 0 bc: 16(XY0)
X
U3 = 0 ξ1
U1/3 = 0
U2/3 = 0

Fig. 2. 1/8 of a periodicity cell of a 3D unidirectionally reinforced composite. The boundary conditions are shown for
problem L33.

In the remaining subdomains V˜ ξ ⊂ V , which can obviously be obtained by the symmetric reflection of the
ξ
˜ α
subdomain V ξ with respect to one, two, or coordinate planes Σ , the functions U (ξ ) are obtained as
s i ( pq ) i
follows:
α
for ( p = q ) U i ( pp ) asymm. about ξ i and symm. about ξ j ξ k , i ≠ j ≠ k ≠ i,
α
for ( p ≠ q ) U j ( pq ) asymm. about ξ i and symm. about ξ j ξ k , (9)
α
U k ( pq ) asymm. about ξ 1 ξ 2 ξ 3 , i, j = { p, q }, i ≠ j ≠ k ≠ i,

where symm. stands for the symmetric and asymm. for the asymmetric extension of functions.
α
In [13], a theorem was proved, which showed that the functions u i ( pq ) of the form (6), where the func
α
tions U i ( pq ) (ξi) satisfy system (7), and conditions (8) and (9) are the solution of the local problem (5) with
α
isotropic components C ijkl = λαδijδkl + μα(δikδjl + δilδjk), where λαμα are Lame’s constants of the αth com
ponent of the composite.
By employing this theorem, the solution of the original integrodifferential problem (5) is reduced to
α
the solution of the “classic” problem (7)–(9) on the functions U i ( pq ) . The problem (7)–(9) is a contact
problem of linear elasticity with boundary conditions on the surface of the domain V ˜ξ .

3. LOCAL PROBLEMS LPQ

∑
α α α
Since Sj(pq) ≡ 3l = 1 σ il ( pq ) n l = μα( U i ( pq )/j + U j ( pq )/i ) = 0 under i ≠ j on Σ 's , conditions (8) for the isotro
pic components can be written by means of force vectors Si(pq):

MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND COMPUTER SIMULATIONS Vol. 2 No. 1 2010

120 DIMITRIENKO, SOKOLOV

α α α
Under ( p = q ) U i ( pq ) = 1/2ε pq δ ip , S j ( pq ) = 0, S k ( pq ) = 0 for Σ i , i ≠ j ≠ k ≠ i,
α α α
Under ( p ≠ q ) U i ( pq ) = ( 1/4 )ε ip δ ip , S j ( pq ) = 0, U k ( pq ) = 0 for Σ j , i, j = { p, q }, (10)
α α α
S i ( pq ) = 0, S j ( pq ) = 0, U k ( pq ) = 0 for Σ 'k , i ≠ j ≠ k ≠ i.

α
By virtue of the symmetry and antisymmetry conditions (9) for the functions U i ( pq ) on the coordinate sur
faces Σi, the following relationships will hold similar to (10):

α α α
Under ( p = q ) U i ( pq ) = 0, S j ( pq ) = 0, S k ( pq ) = 0 for Σ i , i ≠ j ≠ k ≠ i,
α α α
Under ( p ≠ q ) U i ( pq ) = 0, S j ( pq ) = 0, U k ( pq ) = 0 for Σ j , i, j = { p, q }, (11)
α α α
S i ( pq ) = 0, S j ( pq ) = 0, U k ( pq ) = 0 for Σ 'k , i ≠ j ≠ k ≠ i.

Problem (7) with conditions (10) and (11) on 1/8 of the PC will be called a local problem Lpq for obtaining
α ˜ ξ . Figure 2 shows an example of explicit boundary conditions (10) and
the functions U (ξ ) and ξ ∈ V
i ( pq ) i i
(11) for the problem L33.

4. FINITEELEMENT METHOD FOR PROBLEMS Lpq

Let us apply the finiteelement method for the solution of the problems Lpq. For an arbitrary finite vol
ume V ⊂ V˜ ξ , the variational formulation of the problem L under fixed p and q has the following form:
pq

∫ δε σ dV = ∫ δU S dΣ.
T T
(12)
V Σ

α α α
Here, the coordinate columns of the pseudo shears U = [ U 1 ( pq ) , U 2 ( pq ) , U 3 ( pq ) ]T are designated, stresses
α α α α α α α
σ = [ σ 11 ( pq ) , σ 22 ( pq ) , σ 33 ( pq ) , σ 12 ( pq ) , σ 13 ( pq ) , σ 23 ( pq ) ]T, also called microstresses, strains ε = [ ε 11 ( pq ) ,
α α α α α α α α
ε 22 ( pq ) , ε 33 ( pq ) , 2 ε 12 ( pq ) , 2 ε 13 ( pq ) , 2 ε 23 ( pq ) ], and surface forces S = [ S 1 ( pq ) , S 2 ( pq ) , S 3 ( pq ) ]T.
By writing in matrix form the Cauchy relations in (7) ε = DU, where

∂1 0 0 ∂2 ∂3 0
T
D = 0 ∂2 0 ∂2 0 ∂3 (13)
0 0 ∂3 0 ∂1 ∂2

is the matrix of linear differential operators (∂l = ∂/∂ξl), as well as the defining relations in (7): σ = Cε,
α
where C is the [6 × 6] matrix of the components of the tensor C ijkl [17], the variational equation (12) can
be written in the form

∫ ( DδU ) CDU dV = ∫ δU S dΣ.

T T
(14)
V Σ

By approximating the pseudo shears U in finite elements (FE) by the linear functions U = Φq, where q is
the coordinate column of the pseudo shears in the FE nodes, and Φj (ξi) is the matrix of the shape func
tions, we obtain the final resolving system of linear algebraic equations

Kq = f, (15)

MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND COMPUTER SIMULATIONS Vol. 2 No. 1 2010

 ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS 121

α Component
ξ
1 1 2 m1 V1 number

.
.
.
n, m

2 1 2 m2, 1 m2, 1 + 1 m2, 2 m2, m1 − 1+ 1 m2 ξ

V2, m1

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
ξ
V21

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
k 1 2 mk, 1 mk, β − 1 + 1 mk, β mk, mk − 1− 1+ 1 mk ξ
. Vk,mk − 1
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
ξ ξ
Vk, m1 Vk,mβ k
.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
1 2 mn, 1 mn, β − 1 + 1 mn, β mn, mn − 1− 1+ 1 mn ξ
n Vn,mn − 1
.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.
ξ ξ
Level Vn, m1 Vn, mβ
number

Fig. 3. Hierarchical structural pattern of subdividing the composite periodicity cell employed in the HMS method.

∫ ∫
T
where K = B CBdV is the stiffness matrix, B = DΦ, and f = S dΣ is the vector of reduced (equivalent)
V Σ
forces. By solving system (15), we obtain the shears q in the nodes, from which we calculate the pseudo
shears U = Φq, strains ε = Bq, and the stresses σ = CBq in the FE. In solving the system (15), the Cholesky
method and the conjugate gradients methods were applied.

5. CALCULATION OF THE COMPOSITES’ EFFECTIVE CHARACTERISTICS

BY THE FINITEELEMENT METHOD FOR ASYMPTOTIC HOMOGENIZATION (FEMFAH)
After having solved the series of Lpq problems for all pq, we integrate all the stresses over the domains of
fiber and matrix constituents, then the effective elastic moduli of the composite will be calculated by the
following formulas:

∑ ∫σ
α α
σ ij ( pq ) = 〈 σ ij ( pq )〉 = ij ( pq ) dV, (16)
α = 1 V ξα

σ ij ( pq )
C ijpq = . (17)
ε pq

After calculating the tensor of elasticity moduli C ijpq , the tensor of effective elastic compliances Π ijpq =
( C ijpq )–1 is found, and from its components technical constants are obtained, i.e., Young’s moduli Ei =
1/Πiiii, the Poisson ratios vij = –Πiijj/Πiiii, and the shear moduli Gij = C ijij (there is no summation over i, j
here). The technical constants Ei, vij, and Gij calculated by formulas in (17) will be called the effective
characteristics of the composite, according to the finiteelement method for asymptotic homogenization
(FEMFAH).

6. HIERARCHICAL METHOD OF SECTIONS FOR THE CALCULATION

OF THE EFFECTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPOSITES
The calculation of the effective characteristics by FEMFAH makes it possible to find their precise
(from the asymptotical viewpoint) values, but this requires the finiteelement solution of three
dimensional linear elasticity problems, which is known to involve significant computer resources.

MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND COMPUTER SIMULATIONS Vol. 2 No. 1 2010

122 DIMITRIENKO, SOKOLOV

Therefore, another method is proposed for the engineering evaluation of the effective characteristics,
based on the wellknown principle of the addition of layers [18–24]. This method, called the hierar
chical method of sections (HMS), significantly reduces computer time requirements, ensuring at the
same time a degree of accuracy, sufficient for the preliminary engineering evaluation of the effective
characteristics.
According to the HMS method, each component Vξα, α = 1, …, N in the periodicity cell is artificially
ω ξ
divided in parallel sections, orthogonal to the axes O ξ 2, α (where ω2, α ∈ {1, 2, 3}), into m2, α units V 2β ,
β = 1, …, m2, α, which are taken to be the elements of the second structural level. The total number of
ξ
these elements is m2, 1 + m2, 2 + … + m 2, m1 = m2 units, where m1 = N. Then, each V 2β is cut into parallel
ω
sections, orthogonal to the axes O ξ 3, α (where ω3, α ∈ {1, 2, 3}), into m3, β more elements of the 3rd
structural level, etc.
The process of level formations is completed, when unidirectional (1D) elements can be successfully
singled out as the elements of the last nth level. This yields a hierarchical nlevel structure (see Fig. 3),
where each element of the αth level is a layered structure, to which the principle of the addition of layers
can be applied.
kβ kβ ξ
According to this principle, the stresses σ ij and strains ε ij in the elements V kβ of the kth structural
k – 1, α k – 1, α
level are connected with the stresses and strains of the (k – 1)th level σ ij and ε ij by the following
relations:

kβ k – 1, α kβ k – 1, α kβ k – 1, α kβ k – 1, α
ε IJ = ε IJ , σ iω = σ iω , 〈 σ IJ 〉 k – 1, α = σ IJ , 〈 ε iω 〉 k – 1, α = ε iω , (18)

where m k, α – 1 ≤ β ≤ μkα; I, J ≠ ω. The index ω = ωk, α coincides with the direction of the corresponding
ω kα
∑
ξ kβ
axis O ξ , orthogonal to the section plane of the elements V kβ . Here, 〈 f 〉 k – 1, α = β
f ϕ kβ is intro
ξ ξ
duced, i.e., the operation of averaging where ϕkβ = V kβ / V k – 1, α is the relative proportion of the ele
ξ
ment V kβ .
kβ
The relations (18) make it possible to relate the elastic moduli C ijrl of the elements of the k th and
(k – 1)th levels:

k – 1, α kβ kβ kβ –1 kβ
C ijrl = 〈 C ijrl〉 k – 1, α – 〈 C ijsω ( C sωpω ) C pωkl〉 k – 1, α
kβ kβ –1 kβ –1
+ 〈 C ijsω ( C sωpω ) 〉 k – 1, α 〈 ( C pωqω ) 〉 k – 1, α 〈 ( C qωtω ) C tωrl〉 k – 1, α ,
kβ –1 kβ (19)

k = 1, …, n; m k, α – 1 ≤ β ≤ m kα .

nβ
In order to calculate the effective characteristics C ijrl of the lowest level under k = n, the Voigt–Reuss
relations can be employed, which, for the case ω = 3, have the form
nβ –1 nβ
E 1' = ( ϕ nβ /E f + ( 1 – ϕ nβ )/E m ) , E 2' = E f ϕ nβ + E m ( 1 – ϕ nβ ),
nβ nβ nβ
ν 2'3' = ( ϕ nβ ν f E f + ( 1 – ϕ nβ )E m )/E 2' , ν 1'2' = ν f ϕ nβ + ν m ( 1 – ϕ nβ ),
nβ –1
G 1'2' = ( ϕ nβ /G f + ( 1 – ϕ nβ )/G m ) ,

where ϕn, β are the volume fractions of the fibers in the elements of the n th level, and Ef , Em, νf , νm,
Gf , Gm are the elastic moduli, Poisson ratios, and shear moduli of the fibers and the matrix. The direc
tions 1', 2', and 3' in these formulas correspond to the direction of the fiber orientation in each of the
ξ
elements V kβ .

MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND COMPUTER SIMULATIONS Vol. 2 No. 1 2010

 ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS 123

ξ
1 level V1

ξ
V21
2 level
ξ
V22

ξ
V23
3 level ξ
V35
ξ
V38
ξ
ξ ξ ξ ξ
V37
ξ
V31 V32 V33 V34 V36
4 level
ξ ξ
V41 V42 ξ ξ
ξ ξ
V43 V44 V45 V46

Fig. 4. Hierarchical structure of a 3D unidirectionally reinforced composite in the HMS method.

nβ
The components C ijkl are calculated from the constants Ef , Em, νf , νm, Gf , Gm in the standard way [20].

Let us also denote ϕα = V ξα as the total fractions of fibers in the direction ξα, and ϕf = ∑ 3
ϕ
α=1 α
as
the total volume fraction of fibers in the composite.
Instead of relations (20), other relations can also be used, e.g., those obtained in [21] and allowing for
the microstructural defects of the composite: the misalignment of monofibers, the statistical dispersion of
MF characteristics, etc.
0β
Under k = 1, we obtain from (19) the sought effective elastic moduli of the composite C ijrl = C ijrl .
Figure 4 shows the hierarchical structural pattern for a 3D unidirectionally reinforced composite,
devised by the proposed HMS method. This pattern includes four structural levels.

Table 1. Values of effective elastic moduli of a ID composite obtained by different methods

Calculation C 1111 C 1122 C 1133 C 3333 C 1313 C 1212


   
  
method λ 2 + 2μ 2 λ2 λ2 λ 2 + 2μ 2 μ2 μ2

Exact value [20] 1.42 1.11 1.03 1.75 1.804 1.58

HMS 1.50 1.02 1.03 1.75 1.87 1.501
FEMFAH 1.419 1.098 1.026 1.748 1.806 1.59

Table 2. Sets of the solved problems Lpq for different CM structures

No. Type CM Fiber content ϕf Problems Lpq

1 3DCM 0.45 L33, L13, L31

2 TRCM 0.11 L33, L11, L12 + L21, L13 + L31
3 4DCM 0.04 L33, L11, L12 + L21, L13 + L31

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124 DIMITRIENKO, SOKOLOV

7. TEST CALCULATIONS FOR A 1D (UNIDIRECTIONAL) COMPOSITE

In order to compare the accuracy and efficiency of the developed methods, we present the calculation
results for the effective characteristics of 1D and 3D composites. The computation of a 1D composite was
performed as a test problem, because it has an exact analytical solution of the problems Lpq in the series
obtained in [12].
For the unidirectional composite, the number N = 2, and the index α = 1 corresponds to the fiber and
α = 2 corresponds to the matrix (Fig. 4). The following values of the characteristics of the components
were assumed: the reinforcement ratio ϕ1 = V ξ1 = 0.4, μ2 = 0.36 GPa, λ2 = 1.28 GPa, μ1 = 2.16 GPa,
and λ1 = 1.44 GPa.
In order to solve the problems Lpq by the abovedescribed FME method, the number of finite elements
was equal to 5760, and the number of degrees of freedom equalled 3795. After the calculation of the
α
stresses σ ij ( pq ) in the PC for all local problems, the effective elastic properties of the composite C ijpq were
calculated. In order to check the accuracy, the control was performed by both the FEMFAH and HMS
methods. In Table 1, the comparative results of the effective moduli C ijpq calculations are presented. The
obtained computation results show a sufficiently high accuracy of the calculations by both the FEMFAH
and HMS methods.
Even though the HMS accuracy is somewhat inferior, the relative error does not exceed 8% of the exact
solution, which is fairly sufficient for engineering calculations. At the same time, the computer time of the
calculation by the HMS method is drastically reduced (by about 1000 times), compared to the FEMFAH
method (the computation was performed on a Pentium4 with a clock frequency of 1.6 GHz and random
access memory of 512 MB).

8. CALCULATION OF CHARACTERISTICS FOR COMPOSITES

WITH SPATIALLY REINFORCED STRUCTURES
Then, by means of the developed FEMFAH method the problems Lpq were solved for composites with
3D reinforced structures shown in Fig. 1:
• 2D composite reinforced with a system of 2 textileweft threads (TRCM), for it N = 3, α = 1, 2 are
the fibers, and α = 3 is the matrix;
• 3D unidirectionally reinforced composite (3DCM), for it N = 4, α=1, 2, 3 are the fibers, and α = 4
is the matrix;
• 4D composite reinforced along the principal cube diagonals (4DCM), for it N = 5, α = 1, 2, 3, 4 are
fibers, and α = 5 is the matrix.
As a finite element, a fournode tetrahedron was employed.
For all the studied CM, the following mechanical characteristics were used, corresponding to the car
bon fibers and an epoxyphenol matrix:
• matrix: E = 2 GPa, ν = 0.35;
• fibers (threads): E = 250 GPa, ν = 0.25.
On calculating the problems of stretching Lpp, the values of the averaged strain ε pp were selected equal
to 1%.
The FE number under the solution of the problems Lpp for a 3D composite was 5376, the number of
degrees of freedom was 3645. For the numerical implementation, fibers reinforcing in all directions were
assumed to be similar, and their characteristics and matrix properties were the same as for the 1D com
posite. The total volume fraction of the fibers is presented in Table 2.
α
Figures 5, 6, and 7 present some calculation results: the distributions of the stresses σ ij ( pq ) are shown
in the PC for various problems Lpq. Then, by formulas (16) and (17), the effective elastic properties C ijpq
were calculated. In Table 3 below, the comparative results are presented of engineering elastic constants of
a 3D composite: E is Young’s modulus, G is the shear modulus, and ν is the Poisson ratio, obtained by the
FEMFAH and HMS methods. The values obtained by both the FEMFAH and HMS methods are numer
ically similar (the relative deviation also does not exceed 8%); at the same time, proceeding from the
results for the 1D composite, the values obtained by the FEMFAH method proved to be more accurate.
The computation time for the FEMFAH method as for the 1D composite, was about 1000 times longer.

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 ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS 125

3.261e+001 y (a) 1.941e+001 y (a)

2.849e+001 1.690e+001

2.437e+001 1.439e+001

2.024e+001 1.188e+001
1.612e+001 9.375e+000
1.200e+001 6.865e+000
7.874e+000
4.356e+000
3.752e+000
1.846e+000
−3.709e−001
z −6.635e−001
x z
x

y (b)
3.747e+001
(b) 1.093e+003

9.463e+002
2.811e+001

1.875e+001 8.001e+002

9.389e+000 6.538e+002

2.985e002 5.076e+002

−9.329e+000 3.613e+002
−1.869e+001 2.150e+002
−2.805e+001 6.877e+001
−3.741e+001
−7.749e+001
x z
z

α α
Fig. 5. (a) Distribution of pseudostresses σ 12 ( 12 ) (MPa) Fig. 6a. Distribution of pseudostresses σ 13 ( 13 ) (MPa)
in the problem L12 for 4DCM; (b) distribution of pseu in the problem L13 for TRCM; (b) distribution of pseu
α α
dostresses σ 12 ( 13 ) (MPa) in the problem L13 for 4DCM. dostresses σ 11 ( 11 ) (MPa) in the problem L11 for TRCM.

The comparison of both these methods enables us to conclude that in the cases when the computation
time is the decisive factor (e.g., under the enumeration of numerous possibilities with respect to constitu
ent fibers and types of matrices and fibers), the HMS method is preferable. If the number of variants con
sidered is comparatively small and the accuracy of the calculation is of great significance, the FEMFAH
method is more suitable.
Table 2 presents data about the problems Lpq, solved for various CM. The number and type of these
problems are different for different CM structures and are determined by the symmetry group of the com
posite [17]: thus 3DCM is characterized by the orthotropic symmetry, and if all the 3 thread systems are
the same it has a cubic symmetry, and TRCM and 4DCM always have orthotropic symmetry only. There
fore, for 3DCM, it is necessary to solve only 2 local problems L33 and L13 + L31, and for TRCM and
4DCM, 4 problems: L33, L11, L12 + L21, and L13 + L31. The sum L13 + L31 implies the simultaneous solu
tion of these problems.

Table 3. Values of effective elastic constants of 3D composite obtained by different methods

Calculation method Young’s modulus, E, GPa Poisson ratio ν Shear module G, GPa
HMS 4.23 0.355 1.425
FEMFAH 4.21 0.358 1.328

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126 DIMITRIENKO, SOKOLOV

2.493e+001 y (a)
2.183e+001

1.873e+001

1.563e+001

1.252e+001

9.420e+000

6.318e+000

3.216e+000

1.131e−001
z x

4.564e+003 (b)
4.006e+003 y
3.448e+003

2.890e+003

2.331e+003

1.773e+003

1.215e+003

6.572e+002

9.908e+001

α
Fig. 7. (a) Distribution of pseudostresses σ 13 ( 13 ) (MPa) in the problem L13 for 3DCM; (b) distribution of pseudostresses
α
σ 33 ( 33 ) (MPa) in the problem L33 for 3DCM.

For all the considered CM types, only the abovementioned problem types were solved, and the solu
tions of the remaining problems Lpq were obtained by a simple permutation of solutions of the problems
presented in Table 2, which is possible using the anisotropy type of the considered CM.
In Table 4, the values of the effective engineering constants for the composites with different reinforce
ment structures are presented. Figures 8–9 show the plots of the effective elastic moduli of composites
versus the fibers’ content ϕf . In the same figures, the upper and lower limits of the effective moduli
(Voigt and Reuss forks [8]) are given. The calculations show that the Voigt and Reuss forks appear to
be very wide and cannot be used even for an approximate evaluation of the effective characteristics
during computation—this is a wellknown result [8], but there are practically no reliable methods for
calculating the exact values of the effective characteristics of composites with complex dimensionally
reinforced structures. The developed technique and software system largely make up for this draw
back.

9. COMPARISON
WITH THE EXPERIMENTAL DATA
Theoretically, the FEMFAH method enables the researcher to find the “exact” values of the effective
characteristics. The comparison of the calculation results with experimental data shows a certain disagree

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 ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS 127

G13, G23, G12, GPa

2.6
2.4
2.2 G_F
2.0
1.8
G13 G23
1.6
1.4
1.2 G12
1.0
0.8 G_R
0.6
0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35
ϕf (fiber concentration)
Fig. 8. Shear moduli of the textile composite TRCM, calculated according to Voigt and Reuss (G_F), Reuss (G_R) and
effective shear moduli G12, G13, and G23, calculated by the FEMFAH method.

E11, E22, E33, GPa

25

20

15 E_F
E11 E22
10
E33
5

E_R
0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35
ϕf (fiber concentration)
Fig. 9. Young’s moduli of the textile composite TRCM calculated according to Voigt and Reuss (E_F), Reuss (E_R), and
effective Young’s moduli E11, E22, and E33 calculated by the FEMFAH method.

ment, which can be attributed to the following: (a) computational errors of the FEMFAH method;
(b) error of the employed experimental data; and (c) deviation of the real composite structure from the
ideal one used in the calculations. The influence of effect (a) has already been discussed here and the
effects of (b) and (c) can be allowed for by introducing a statistical dispersion range for the experimental
data. In addition, in order to enhance the accuracy of the calculations by the FEMFAH method, unidi
rectional fibers in the 3D structure will be treated as threads in the form of bundles of monofibers, and the
thread characteristics will be calculated using the model presented in [24], allowing for the misalignment
of monofibers. The total volume content of monofibers in the composite ϕf will be retained under this
model refinement.
The experimental data were obtained for a 3D unidirectionally reinforced composite on the basis of
carbon threads and phenolic matrix. The parallelepipedshaped samples were cut from the blocks, pre
pared by pressure impregnation of the reinforcing base with subsequent solidification. Samples with values
of fiber content ϕf = 0.46 and 0.54 were considered. The elastic modulus E and the shear module G were
obtained from the compression test of the samples, E, using the samples cut along the planes, orthogonal

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128 DIMITRIENKO, SOKOLOV

E, GPa G, GPa
56 3.0

48
2.5
Method of sections
40 Method of sections
Developed method 2.0
32
Experiment
Experiment
1.5 Developed method
24

16 1.0

8 0.5

0 10 20 30 40 50 60
ϕf, % 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
ϕf, %

Fig. 10. Dependence of the elastic modulus on the fiber Fig. 11. Dependence of the shear modulus on the fiber
content in the 3D composite (experimental data and content in the 3D composite (experimental data and cal
calculations by the FEMFAH and HMS methods). culations by the FEMFAH and HMS methods).

to the main symmetry axes of the 3D composite, and the shear module G was obtained using the samples
cut at the angle of 45°, so that directions 1 and 2 were along the diagonals of the side faces of the parallel
epiped.
Figures 10 and 11 show the calculation results obtained by the FEMFAH and HMS methods, the dots
designate the experimental values E and G. In the calculations, the following values of the fiber and matrix
characteristics were assumed: Em = 2.1 GPa, νm = 0.35, Ef =225 GPa, and νf = 0.25. The agreement of the
results of the calculations by both methods and experimental data was rather good: the relative error did
not exceed 12% for the HMS method and 8% for the FEMFAH method. The best accuracy was demon
strated for the elastic modulus E. In all the cases considered, the calculated values were within the disper
sion area of the experimental data. Therefore, both methods have yielded satisfactory accuracy.

Table 4. Effective elastic properties of the CM with different reinforcement structures

3DCM 4DCM TRCM
ϕf = 0.45 ϕf = 0.04 ϕf = 0.11
Young’s moduli E (GPa)
E1 39.758 2.406 6.417
E2 39.758 2.407 6.645
E3 39.758 2.381 3.448
Poisson ratios ν
ν13 0.073 0.365 0.451
ν31 0.074 0.361 0.275
ν12 0.073 0.358 0.202
ν21 0.073 0.358 0.114
ν23 0.073 0.364 0.498
ν32 0.0743 0.360 0.187
Shear moduli G (GPa)
G13 2.227 1.283 1.296
G12 2.227 1.278 1.094
G23 2.227 1.283 1.296

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 ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS 129

CONCLUSIONS
A finiteelement method for the solution of local “periodicity cell” problems (FEMFAH method)
has been developed for composites with complex dimensionally reinforced structures, based on the
transition from the problem for a complete PC to a much simpler problem on 1/8 of the PC. A hierar
chical method of sections (HMS) has also been developed for the computation of the effective charac
teristics of composites.
For a ID and 3D unidirectionally reinforced composite, a comparison was carried out of the calcula
tion results, obtained by different methods, which proved their efficiency and accuracy as well as their
superiority over the existing analytical solutions. It is shown that the HMS method, although less accurate
than the FEMFAH method, is much faster and can be successfully employed when there is no need for
the calculation of the exact value of microstresses.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project nos. 060801448a,
070800574.

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